Row: Fans have attacked Louis Tomlinson for using the word 'n**' in MailOnline's exclusive 'joint' video

One Direction's Louis Tomlinson has been plunged into a race row after apparently using a racial slur in a video of him and a bandmate smoking a ‘joint’.

Bringing the under-fire band into further disrepute, Louis was today lambasted for using the word 'nig' - which fans say is a shortened version of the N-word - in the controversial footage.

The video, revealed by MailOnline last night, shows Louis, 22, and fellow One Direction member Zayn Malik, 21, passing round what appears to be cannabis.

Louis puts on an accent while speaking about drugs, then said: ‘It’s green only, n**.’

One Direction fans - as well as MPs and racism campaigners - demanded apologies from the band in light of the video.

They said the boy band had abused their position as role models and risked encouraging their young fans to copy them.

Simon Cowell, their ultimate boss, was also dragged into the row as fans sent him messages urging him to take action over the use of a form of the N-word.

Louis filmed himself and Zayn as they were being escorted by car to a show in Lima, Peru, on April 27.

In the footage, they can be seen lighting up a roll-up and passing it around in the car that is escorting them to the Estadio Nacional, where they performed to a 40,000 capacity crowd.

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'Joint
lit. Happy days!' Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson smoked a 'roll up
cigarette' and joke about marijuana in a video taken in Lima, Peru, last
month

First appearance: Zayn Malik looked glum as he was driven away from The Lowry Hotel in Salford yesterday in what is his first appearance since the controversial video emerged

The 21-year-old star, pictured in a Jeep guarded by security, was photographed hours before going on stage in Sunderland last night

Zayn Malik (right) and Louis Tomlinson. One Direction played to 50,000 people in Sunderland football club's Stadium of Light last night

Despite the band putting on a united show at the opening night of their tour, it is thought the scandal could create a divide in the band

Anyone hoping for some reference, or even an apology, from the band last night was left disappointed

One Direction brushed aside the controversy for their performance at Sunderland's Stadium of Light

Bandmembers Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson last night as they joined the rest of the group for a gig in Sunderland, but parents outside admitted their clean-cut image was now tarnished

Zayn and his bandmates were today pictured for the first time since the video emerged and this evening played to 50,000 people in Sunderland football club's Stadium of Light with no mention of the incident.

Niall Horan brandished his acoustic guitar during the performance in Sunderland which formed part of their Where We Are Tour

Harry Styles, pictured performing at One Direction's sold out concert in Sunderland last night, is said to be annoyed with bandmates Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik for potentially jeopardising the band's upcoming 39-date US tour

Louis and Zayn joked around with bandmate Harry Styles during the show (left) but also looked deep in thought at times, perhaps pondering the controversy which emerged just hours before the opening leg of the tour

Controversial: In
MailOnline’s exclusive video, Louis Tomlinson, 22, can be heard putting
on an accent while speaking about doing drugs. He then says: ‘It’s
green only, Nig.’

‘They are adored by many people and they have a responsibility to set an example,’ the Conservative MP said.

‘People look up to them and admire them. If they have said this, they should
make it clear that they accept they said it. They have got to understand
that use of terms like this is very offensive to people.’

Peter Tatchell, human rights
campaigner and director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said: ‘For
black or gay kids to hear these terms bandied about can be really
hurtful.

‘They should not be
using words that have prejudiced connotations. It’s really important
for pop stars to avoid language that is racist or homophobic. Their
words have influence and impact.’

Luke Tryl, head of education at Stonewall added: ‘One Direction need to get their meaning straight when they say the word “gay”.

Harry Styles arrived at Newcastle International Airport on a separate private jet to Louis and Zayn ahead of One Direction's performance in Sunderland yesterday

Niall Horan (left) and Liam Payne (right) are also seen getting out of the band's private jet this evening

Hit
maker: Zayn takes a draw on the roll up. Before they began their
journey someone can be heard asking: 'Are we allowed to talk contraband
in this?'

Warm up: Louis can be heard joking that 'Mary J' is 'one
very very important factor of Zayn’s warm up'

Happy daze: At one point during the video, Louis asks: 'How is it Zayn?' Pausing a beat before he exhales Zayn replies: 'Nice'. Zayn blows smoke at the camera and says: 'I know you like dat, bro'

‘Homophobic language is endemic in Britain’s schools and these insults can have a devastating impact on the self-esteem of gay young people. The boys ought to know better and should be setting an example to their millions of fans.’

One Direction follower Jimmy wrote on Twitter: ‘Being an African American One Direction fan I do not appreciate Louis saying the word “n**”.'

Sandra Arteaga wrote: ‘Worst part about the video was hearing Louis say “n**”. Really disappointed in Louis for saying “n**”. Lost the little respect I had for him.’

Another added: ‘I physically winced when Louis shouted “n**”. I love him but bad move.’

While many were horrified they appeared to be smoking drugs, some believed the apparent use of the N word was worse.

Upset: Some One Direction fans have said they have destroyed or sold tickets because they are angry about the video

Rory John tweeted: ‘I think Louis Tomlinson using the word “n**” might be more shocking.’

Another One Direction fan added: ‘Only upsetting thing about the video was Louis say 'n**' Weed can be overlooked, but racial slurs cannot.’

While some fans defended the band at all costs, others believed the members shown in the video had crossed a line.

Christine wrote: ‘I'm just upset that people are defending the fact that Louis said “n**” bc that's really offensive.’

The use of the N-word is always controversial, but the use of the term ‘gay’ has also brought problems for other British celebrities.

Chris Moyles, the BBC Radio 1 DJ, in 2006 used the word to dismiss a mobile phone ringtone, saying: “I don’t want that one, it’s gay.”

The BBC defended him on the grounds that the word did not just mean ‘homosexual' or 'carefree', but 'lame' or 'rubbish' among younger people.

Stonewall award Moyles the title of ‘Bully of the Year’ at their annual awards ceremony the same year but he was not formally censured by the broadcaster.

One Direction has accumulated a gargantuan following online since coming third on The X Factor four years ago.

The five member of the band have 85million followers on Twitter between them, many of whom vie desperately for their attention and comment on their every move.

MailOnline has approached One Direction's spokesman for comment.

'Are
we allowed to talk contraband in this?': Edited transcript of Louis and
Zayn's smoke-filled ride

Louis and Zayn leave the underground car park as they head to the stadium for the concert:

Minder: Well we got a full chicken.. we can take this to Jamaica, we don’t have anything in Jamaica set up

Unknown male: Are we allowed to talk contraband in this?

Louis: Yes of course. That’s what it’s about... Where’s the lighter? Can anybody pass me a lighter please? I want to light up. You got a lighter?

After much searching, Louis can be seen lighting up and heard coughing

Louis: So here we are, leaving Peru. Joint lit. Happy days... What do you think Zayn? About that kind of content?

Zayn: I think it’s very controversial

Louis sees a police motorbike rider escorting their convoy

Louis: ‘That’s the police. That’s the po po...
Nice. I’m trying to blow it into the camera. Smokescreen baby!... That’s
just Zayn warming up there before the show. Zayn takes his job very
seriously. He makes sure he goes through a two-hour intense warm up
regime before every show, just to get himself in the zone. One very, very
important factor to Zayn’s warm up, of course is Mary Jane herself. In
fact I’m presenting it to him now for some fantastic singing

Louis passes Zayn the roll up cigarette

Louis: How is it Zayn?

Zayn: Nice

Louis: That’s the po po. One nil

Louis starts filming out the window

Louis: Get a bit of the culture. How’s that kind of culture?

Zayn: It’s great culture this. It’s going to be even greater culture when we get to Jamaica

Member of crew: I just got an update. We got chicken in Chile

Zayn: Chicken in Chile! Chile chicken

Louis: Yeh baby. That’s the po po. Two nil

Louis puts on an exaggerated dopey voice and sways the camera around:

Louis: F***ing ‘ell bro, I’m chillin. Oh my God bro. My ‘ed’s a wreck

Louis: It’s green only! N**!

Louis: I’m just wondering now. I’m sitting here in Peru wondering will this come back to me? Who knows? Maybe, maybe not

Another police bike passes:

Louis: One nil b***h! Look at this b***h... He’s having a
look. He’s thinking. I’m sure I can smell an illegal substance in there.
And he’s hit the nail on the head

Zayn:
Carl showed... me Kid Rock’s
last book. And it’s about twice the size. Hard back. Black. Simple
writing. No bulls***. No like ‘My favourite colour’s blue.. And all
just sick pictures

Louis is passed the roll up by a crew member and zooms in on it:

Louis: Ooo Stubbsy!

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One Direction video apparently shows Louis Tomlinson using version of N-word